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Media elite just don't understand feelings of the majority

Letters to the Editor
Published November 10, 2004

As the depth of President Bush's victory became apparent last week, I wondered exactly how the Democratic Party would spin the results. Although the DNC itself has been somewhat reserved, its spinmeisters in the press have been in full throat. Many of these nationally recognized editorialists have become completely unhinged by Bush's victory; some actually accusing those us who voted for the president as being part of an American religious jihad.

This broad-brush swipe at conseratives just shows the inability of the media elite to understand not only why they lost this election, but also why they will continue to lose at the national level for years to come. They truly do not understand what a majority of Americans feel in their gut.

There are many conseratives like myself. Although we rarely go to church, we certainly identify with many of values that our church-going brethren espouse. We are not bigoted because we disagree with same-sex marriage. We are not intolerant because we believe that life begins at conception. We are not monsters because we understand the value of ridding the world of tyrants, regardless of how the French feel about it.

It is fitting justice that this president was re-elected despite the efforts of the media, Hollywood, and Eastern establishment elites. Many of us feel vindicated by the defeat of these groups that still look down their noses at "fly over" country. It's time that they take a long hard look at themselves. They are the true minority.

-- Jay Johnson, St. Petersburg

A questionable set of morals

I keep reading that Bush won the election based on his moral values. Really?

Is it moral to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation?

Is is moral to be prolife and pro-death penalty?

Is it moral to curtail stem cell research because of religious convictions?

Is it moral to let the assault weapons ban expire so as not to lose any NRA votes?

Is it moral to refuse to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices?

And is it moral to take a country to war under false pretenses resulting in tens of thousands of deaths to innocent people?

This is the most immoral administration this country has ever seen.

-- Sandra Harris, Safety Harbor

Immaturity on the left

So now that the election is over, Bush-hating liberals want to move to Canada. How interesting. When Democrats win elections, Republicans are supposed to be the loyal opposition and perhaps learn the error of our ways and repent. When Republicans win, Democrats just can't accept it and look to move to another country.

This confirms what many of us on the conservative side of politics have always said about the left. It is the left that is intolerant of any ideas but their own. When Republicans talk about fighting, we talk about fighting this country's enemies. When Democrats talk about fighting they are talking about fighting other Americans. What happened to "diversity" and "understanding"?

The media have been asking many questions of Republicans about reaching out to the Democrats. When will the Democrats reach out to us without insults and bile? Move to Canada? Why not just hold your breath until you turn blue? That would fit your maturity level.

-- Ed Mills, Clearwater

Remember the sore losers on the right

What short memories Americans seem to have. I am among the losers in this country: I proudly voted for John Kerry in the election. Now that it is all over, I am supposed to sit back and be gracious and accept his defeat just like the Republicans did in '92 and '96.

What a joke! Have you forgotten the relentless right-wing attack on President Bill Clinton and his family and friends, which resulted in millions of our taxpayer dollars being spent on his impeachment? Have you forgotten the daily rants of the conservative wing trying their best to destroy Clinton and those around him even before his first inauguration? Did you forget the vicious attacks on those who supported Clinton, which resulted in destroyed families, the loss of life, prison sentences and an even more divided America?

Where was all the so-called liberal press when it came to investigating Halliburton, the coziness of the Bush administration with the Saudi ruling family, the abuse of power and limited access to the workings of the government? And let us not forget the questionable outcome of the election of 2000 where this president was selected, not elected. Now we should all come together as one united nation? Well there are 55-million of us who might respectfully disagree!

-- Robert Polk, St. Petersburg

It was a vote about fairness

Since the election, I have read from columnists, cartoonists and editorial writers on how narrow-minded those Bush voters are. This voter did not choose the president because of the so-called "moral vote." I voted for President Bush because I don't like character assassinations, and I don't like how you think I'm stupid.

For months and months we were told by liberials and the Hollywood crowd how Bush lied to us about Iraq, even though the whole world had the same information he had.

We were told how terrible the economy was, as though I am supposed to forget about what happened to the economy after 9/11.

We were told how he wants to steal Social Security, even though he has no power to do so, and that under its current state it cannot survive.

We were told how he wants to force religion on everyone, just because he believes in God!

No, I did not vote for President Bush on the moral issues. I voted for him because, like most Americans, I get upset when someone is not given a fair trial, and how you think I won't notice.

-- Raymond Laquerre, Homosassa

The danger of fundamentalism

Moral values seem to have carried the day for President Bush, but what are moral values? War? Poverty? Dishonesty?

And the assumption is clear: Bush has morals; John Kerry does not. I am outraged by this implied character assassination of Sen. Kerry.

Fundamentalism is dangerous wherever it shows itself, and it was clear that fundamentalism has become the base of the Republican Party. If I am correct, then I fear for people who are "different" - different in religion, culture, politics. We may be in for dangerous times unless we remain organized and ready to do battle, for surely the extreme right has now thrown down the sword in front of those seeking a more peaceful world within which to bring up our children.

How we respond will tell us a great deal about ourselves and our values.